Beth Ann Maier, a retired pediatrician and member of Vermont Interfaith Action, discusses the lack of affordable housing in Vermont in her commentary. She compares the situation to a game of musical chairs, where the most vulnerable are left without a seat. The number of individuals without a place to call home in Vermont has tripled in five years, with rising rents compared to incomes being a significant factor.
Governor Phil Scott has vetoed a budget adjustment bill that includes an extension of the hotel shelter voucher program for eligible Vermonters. This extension would provide shelter for households with children, elderly Vermonters, and those fleeing domestic abuse until July 1. Without this extension, over 1400 households, including over 400 children, will lose their shelter on April 1.
Maier criticizes the administration for failing to establish a program connecting those in hotel shelter with resources for housing stability. She emphasizes the need for safe and humane shelter for all Vermonters, as well as resources that offer a pathway to permanent housing and stability.
Maier points out the cost of emergency services for unsheltered individuals and the impact on their physical and mental health when they are left without shelter. She calls for a more compassionate and responsible approach to addressing homelessness in Vermont, highlighting the importance of supporting our neighbors in need.
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